Maria comes from a family of factory workers but has recently graduated from college and landed a job as a software engineer. Her success illustrates which type of mobility, and what does it say about societal opportunities?

Maria's success as a software engineer after coming from a family of factory workers illustrates upward social mobility. This means she has moved to a higher social or economic position than where she started. Her achievement shows that with education and hard work, individuals can improve their circumstances, regardless of their background. It also suggests that society can offer opportunities for people to change their lives and pursue their dreams, highlighting the importance of education and access to new careers. For example, Maria’s degree allowed her to enter a field that typically pays more and offers better job security than her family's previous work, showing that social mobility is possible.